President Obama proposed two years of free community college for qualifying students. If his proposal passes, the federal government would pay for 75 percent of tuition with each state picking up the rest of the cost.

The idea was a hot topic Saturday on the Metropolitan Community College campus.

“Community colleges should be free to those willing to work for it,” Obama said Friday.

Students such as Israel Rodriguez said the proposal would give many people a second chance.

“A few of my friends have stopped going to college just because of that reason. They can’t afford it. So this would be a good reason to come back,” Rodriguez said.

Many students said they recognize the value of an education. Justin Miller is getting financial aid, but he said he’s not sure about the president’s plan.

“The government is fronting the money for me to go to school, but with this plan with Obama, it’s more or less a different way of paying for stuff,” Miller said.

Some people said the program could create jobs on campuses across the country, but others said they worry about potential negative effects.

“Like is it going to raise taxes or is there going to be stipulations so nobody really takes advantage of it. Maybe a lot of people will start and then not finish,” said Sheryl Wedel, who is studying counseling.

Eugene Bolz is still taking classes at 70 years old. He said deciding to give free tuition should be up to the states, not the federal government.

“It’s another place the government is getting their nose in and they’re not an expert. The people here are experts. The people running this school are experts,” Bolz said.

Obama will discuss the proposal in two weeks during his State of the Union address. Administration officials said the program would cost about $60 billion over 10 years.